The Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are headed back to the Kelly Cup playoffs, clinching a playoff spot with a 3-2 victory over the Bloomington Bison on Sunday.
The Nailers, who finished their weekend games 3-0-0-0, made headlines on Saturday night when head Derek Army picked up his 148th win to set a new franchise record for victories by a head coach.
Derek Army Becomes Wheeling Nailers Winningest Head CoachOutside of Pittsburgh, the Penguins' minor league clubs, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Wheeling Nailers, have had successful campaigns in the AHL and ECHL, respectively.
Wheeling swept the Cincinnati Cyclones 2-0-0-0, with a 2-0 win on Friday and a 4-1 win on Saturday. After Sunday's victory, the Nailers are 39-23-3-1 and in fifth place in the ECHL Eastern Conference while maintaining second place in the North Division.
At 39 wins, the Nailers are on the cusp of securing their first 40-win season since 2005-06 and fourth overall. The best seasons in franchise history are 2003-04 (51), 1994-95 (46), and 2005-06 (45).
The Nailers is led by Matty De St. Phalle, who has 53 points in 59 games. Meanwhile, Kyle Jackson is the leading goal-scorer with 27 and 50 points, the only other skater with more than 50.
Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of the regular season.
Between the pipes, Taylor Gauthier is 15-10-1 with a 2.06 GAA and .928 SV%, whose total is slightly better than ECHL All-Star Sergei Murashov, who is 17-7-1 with a 2.40 GAA and .922 SV% in his first pro season in North America.
Only Gauthier and Chase Pietilla, drafted in 2001 and 2004, are prospects of the Penguins.
The Nailers' next games are Friday and Saturday, Apr. 4 and 5, at home against the Reading Royals.
